House OKs extending school calendar

A 2004 law requires most public schools to begin no earlier than Aug. 25 and end by June 10.

"Local schools obviously know what's best for students, not one size fits the entire state," said Rep. Marvin Lucas, D-Cumberland, a co-sponsor of the bill. "Before, they had to use Saturdays (as makeup days), and what they were finding is that 50 percent of the students were attending school on a Saturday, which is, in essence, a wasted school day."

Wake County schools were forced to schedule two makeup days during spring break this year because of late-winter storms. A large number of students didn't attend during those days.

"A lot of people already made plans to go places, and that was messing up their whole vacation," said Gabrielle Hernon, a freshman at Athens Drive High School in Raleigh.

Still, Hernon and her friend, Javonus Freeman, said extending the school year for makeup days would be worse than missing part of spring break.

"I'm ready for school to be over," Freeman said. "Everyone is ready to get out of school."

Lucas' bill is the second bill affecting school calendars that is making its way through the General Assembly.

Education groups said earlier start dates would let students take exams before the Christmas vacation and could help with scheduling makeup days.

The tourism industry has been fighting the change because it would cut into traditional summer vacations.